Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Andy Westwood Filed Under: All posts, Whitehall Watch Posted:
The Government announced its higher education reform plans this week, publishing a white paper ‘Success as a Knowledge Economy’. But will it really deliver a better deal for students and is it making an already complex system even more so, asks Andy Westwood? Let’s begin with the title. Every part of it is contested in […]
By Francesca Gains Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Thursday 5 May is a ‘Super Thursday’ for all kinds of non-Westminster elections, with candidates running for office for London Assembly and Mayor, many local authorities, the Scottish Parliament, Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies. Polling also takes place for 40 of the 41 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales – but as […]
By Ruth Lupton Filed Under: Inclusive Growth Posted:
A new research team aims to make poverty reduction central to economic growth and devolution in Greater Manchester, and to provide analysis and insight on inclusive growth in GM and other UK cities. Ruth Lupton explains more about it and why it’s needed. The 15th April sees the launch of IGAU – a new independent […]
By Luke Raikes Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Urban Posted:
When the victorious Greater Manchester Mayor emerges next May, they will find themselves with significant transport powers – but strong leadership and beefed-up accountability will be needed to realise the full benefits, argues Luke Raikes. This time next year, Greater Manchester will be experiencing its first ever mayoral election campaign. This will be a significant […]
By Frances O'Grady Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted:
Manchester will have its work cut out plugging the funding gap in the current economic climate and greater integration of health and social care, while essential, may not deliver savings or reduced hospital admissions, argues Frances O’Grady. A new architecture With the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act receiving royal assent at the beginning of […]
By Ruth Boaden Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted:
The Devolution of health and social care to Greater Manchester this Friday (1 April) is being heralded as the dawn of a new era – one that can deliver the fastest and greatest improvement to the health and wellbeing of 2.8 million people. But, asks Ruth Boaden, will any real change be seen? This time […]
By Mark Robinson CEO Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Urban Posted:
George Osborne confirmed his commitment to the Northern Powerhouse by prioritising it so strongly in the recent Budget. But, says Mark Robinson, the initiative is in desperate need of a figurehead or strategic leadership to take it to the next level and stop it fizzling out. Lord Adonis and the National Infrastructure Commission have […]
By Hollie Ashworth Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Radioactive waste is a controversial topic. But understanding the difference between historic and new wastes would produce a more informed debate, explains Hollie Ashworth. Whenever there is talk about new-build nuclear power stations, there is also talk about the cost of cleaning-up radioactive waste. People often correctly quote figures for the cost of cleaning-up radioactive […]
By Andy Westwood Filed Under: All posts, Whitehall Watch Posted:
Andy Westwood assesses a political transformation in the wake of the Autumn Statement. 2012 really was a big year for Britain. Politically, it was the moment that George Osborne tanked. First with the ‘Omnishambles’ Budget and its ill conceived Granny and Pasty taxes and second with a round booing at the Olympic Park. But it […]
By Mike Addelman Filed Under: All posts, Polling Observatory Posted:
Mike Addelman, in collaboration with the BES team, blogs about work to uncover just why the opinion polls before the 2015 General Election were so wrong. One of the world’s longest-running investigations into political attitudes and voting behaviour, the British Election Study (BES), has been amassing huge quantities of data on every General Election since […]